LIVE Magazine Vol 6 #156 May 3, 2013

METH HEAD in Festival Spotlight at FilmOut
“Well told and hypnotizing,” – Examiner.com
SAN DIEGO -- METH HEAD, the first narrative feature film to offer a direct
portrayal of a methamphetamine addict’s life, takes the spotlight at FilmOut
San Diego on June 1, 2013. The film, written and directed by Jane Clark, depicts
a young man in love with a promising career ahead of him, whose world
spirals wildly out of control due to addiction to crystal meth -- a drug that has
ravaged millions of American lives.
METH HEAD is inspired by Clark’s experience with a family member and producer-actor
John W. McLaughlin’s real-life addiction to the drug. McLaughlin,
who is now free from his past meth abuse, also portrays a key role in the
character-driven drama that is gritty, honest and riveting.
“’Meth Head’ is a well told and hypnotizing film from start to finish,” writes
Mae Adulbaki in her review for Examiner.com from 2013’s DC Independent
Film Festival in the nation’s capital, where the film premiere received a strong
reception from a rapt audience. “Writer/director Clark chooses to tell the story
in a gritty and blunt manner that serves the purpose of informing and acknowledging
the addiction to meth and the people it affects.”
The powerful drama stars Lukas Haas ("Lincoln", "Contraband", "Brick"), who
plays Kyle Peoples, a man stuck in a dead end job with a more successful
partner (Wilson Cruz - "He's Just Not That Into You," "My So-Called Life")
and a family who doesn't understand him. When an innocent night of partying
leads to a new family of friends, Kyle sees an escape, but friendships with
drug buddies Maia (Necar Zadegan) and Dusty (Blake Berris) and their love
of meth costs Kyle his job, lover, family, and home. Kyle’s “escape” ultimately
becomes its own trap, and the drug slowly withers him, physically and psychologically.
Hitting bottom, Kyle faces a choice: life or meth. The movie also
stars Tom Sizemore ("Hawaii Five-O," "Black Hawk Down"), Scott Patterson
("Gilmore Girls", "Saw IV, V, VI') and Theo Rossi ("Sons of Anarchy," "Cloverfield").
The score was composed by Curt Smith, co-founder of the multi-platinum
band Tears for Fears, and his writing partner, Charlton Pettus. METH
HEAD is their first feature-length film score.
"I don't see METH HEAD as simply a drug film. I see it as a film about family
-- the one that we are born into, the ones that we create -- and how they
impact the addiction and how the addiction impacts them. In simple terms, it's
about the human beings," says Clark. "These are the fathers, sons, mothers,
lovers, friends, aunts, neighbors that we all know. They are just like us, filled
with dreams, desires, fears and insecurities. The only difference is the chemical
changes that impact their behavior and their choices because of the drug.”
The FilmOut screening takes place on Saturday, June 1st, at 7 p.m., at
Birch North Park Theater, 2891 University Ave, San Diego. For interview
opportunities contact Jane Clark, jclark@filmmcqueen.com. For more information,
and to see the movie trailer, go to www.themethheadmovie.com.
Read a full review at www.examiner.com/node/59628871 and more details
about the FilmOut screening are here: http://filmoutsandiego.tix.com/Event.
asp?Event=567044
Abuse of methamphetamine, a potent and highly addictive psycho-stimulant,
can lead to devastating medical, psychological, and social consequences
and continues to be a very serious problem in the United States, according
to the U.S. Department of Justice. While seizures of meth-making labs ebbed
after changes to banned substance laws in 2008, they are on the rise again
in many U.S. states. Adverse health effects include memory loss, aggression,
psychotic behavior and other serious mental health issues, heart damage,
malnutrition, and dental problems. Methamphetamine abuse also contributes
to increased transmission of infectious diseases, especially hepatitis and HIV,
and has been linked to increases in crime, unemployment and child neglect
or abuse. Recent federal government surveys report that 12.6 million Americans
have used methamphetamine, a drug considered more addictive than
heroin that costs the U.S. an estimated $16.2 billion to $48.3 billion annually.*
*Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA),
2008 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. September 2009.
METH HEAD
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 5, 2013
CONTACT:
Michael McQuiggan
619-­‐665-­‐1029 Direct
619-­‐512-­‐5157 Fax
michael@filmoutsandiego.com
FILMOUT SAN DIEGO
15 TH ANNUAL LGBT FILM FESTIVAL
“Meth Head,” a new film from writer/director Jane Clark, tells of a man in his p
with a promising career ahead of him, whose life spirals out of control due to an overw
addiction to methamphetamine, a drug that has ravaged cities and small communities
LOCATION: Birch North Park Theatre
2891 University Avenue, San Diego, CA 92104
DATES: May 29 – June 2, 2013
OPENING NIGHT: Wednesday, May 29, 2013 at 7:30pm
The drama stars Lukas Haas (“Lincoln”, “Contraband”, “Brick”) as Kyle Peoples.
TICKET INFO: www.FilmOutSanDiego.com
wanted to be the man he has become - stuck in a dead end job, with a more successfu
Cruz) and a family that doesn't get him. When an innocent night of partying leads to a
friends, Kyle sees an escape. But friendships with drug buddies Maia (Necar Zadegan) a
Berris) and their love of meth costs Kyle his job, lover, family & home. Kyle's escape be
the party is an illusion and the crystal is slowly killing him, physically and psychologicall
bottoms out, no longer the kid his father once spoke of with pride, Kyle must choose: l
“I don’t see it as a drug film. I see it as a film about family – the one that we are
the ones we create – and how (From they left to impact right) INTERIOR. the LEATHER addiction BAR., G.B.F., and MARGARITA, how Ithe AM DIVINE addiction impact
terms, it’s about the human beings and not the drug,” says Clark.
SAN DIEGO — FilmOut San Diego’s 15 th Annual LGBT Film Festival will take place from May 2
will be screened during the five-­‐day film festival at the historic Birch North Park Theatre in Sa
their premiere with FilmOut San Diego along with award-­‐winning films from both the Sundan
along with independent features and a variety of short films. Q&A’s will follow many films w
in attendance. The Opening Night Film and Party will take place on Wednesday, May 29, 201
Night Party will end the festival on Sunday, June 2, 2013 after the last film of the evening.
“Meth Head” is inspired by the real-life stories of producer/actor John W. McL
portrays Bobby Blue, and Clark. It also stars Tom Sizemore (“Hawaii Five-O,” “Black Haw
Patterson (“Gilmore Girls”), Lindsay Pulsipher (“Hatfields & McCoys”), Candis Cayne (“D
Money”) and Theo Rossi (“Sons of Anarchy”).
Opening Night Film: Darren Stein’s G.B.F. (Gay Best Friend) – stars Michael J. Willet, Paul Iac
Megan Mullally, Natasha Lyonne, Rebecca Gayheart and Jonathan Silverman. — WEST COAS
Opening Night Party at: Claire de Lune Sunset Temple Ballroom
(3911 Kansas Street, San Diego, CA 92104 — Directly across the street from the theatre): 10:0
Closing Night Film: Jeffrey Schwarz’s I AM DIVINE – CALIFORNIA PREMIERE!
Closing Night Party at: West Coast Contact: TavernDorie
Hightower; 301-706-7633; dor
(2895 University Avenue, San Diego, CA 92104 — In the lobby of the Birch North Park Theatre
37